John Williams News

The New York Philharmonic will present the World Premiere of the Star Wars Film Concert Series featuring screenings of the complete films A New Hope, The Empire Strikes Back, Return of the Jedi, and The Force Awakens with Oscar-winning composer John Williams' musical scores performed live to the films. The concerts will be led by acclaimed conductor David Newman.

The New York Philharmonic welcomes Music Director Designate Jaap van Zweden in 2017-18, a season that celebrates the Philharmonic's greatest strengths and essential commitments while looking to the future as an innovative, global ensemble, spotlighting its musicians and partners, dedication to new music, wide-ranging repertoire, education programs, and accessibility.

The Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) announced its 2017/18 season to a packed house in Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre earlier this evening. The Orchestra's third annual, free Season Preview Concert once again featured the entire orchestra onstage performing selected excerpts, with emcee Music Director Ward Stare joined for the first time by Principal Pops Conductor Jeff Tyzik. The two co-hosted the informal and lively evening from a living room-type setting on stage, and took turns conducting highlights from the upcoming Philharmonics and Pops Series.

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) proudly presents its 13th annual New Creations Festival, March 4-11, 2017. Bold, experimental, and cutting edge, this year's Festival is curated by Polaris Music Prize-winner Owen Pallett, a renowned Canadian composer, violinist, keyboardist, and vocalist. The 2017 New Creations Festival fuses the pop- and classical-music worlds, with a touch of electronic music, a little dose of improvisation, and a blend of Aboriginal and folk sounds. To further enhance the Festival, concertgoers can enjoy an array of ancillary events-curated by Canadian composer Abigail Richardson-Schulte-including pre-concert performances, intermission chats, and post-concert parties (all included with concert tickets). The Festival also features two more free events: Composers in Conversation, a forum presented in collaboration with the Canadian Music Centre on March 7, and a noon-hour concert at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre, presented in collaboration with the Canadian Opera Company on March 9. All New Creations Festival performances are part of Canada Mosaic-a Signature Project of Canada 150.

The Brevard Symphony Orchestra invites film fans of all ages to celebrate the music of Hollywood when the Orchestra takes the stage for the BSO's POPS concert on Saturday, February 18th at the King Center for the Performing Arts.  The BSO presents Hooray for Hollywood and will feature thrilling movie music from Elmer Bernstein's scores to The Magnificent Seven and To Kill a Mockingbird along with the title song to one of Hollywood's greatest movie musicals, Singin' in the Rain. The Orchestra will also pay tribute to John Williams on the occasion of the composer's 85th birthday with a performance of his music from Indiana Jones, Jurassic Park and Star Wars: The Force Awakens. The program also includes music from Forrest Gump, James Bond and more.

Franz Welser-Most to conduct three concerts, featuring Beethoven's Symphony No. 2, Beethoven's Symphony No. 7, an evening of opera favorites, and more. Blossom Summer Season includes 21 concerts of family-friendly programming on weekends from Fourth-of-July through Labor Day Weekend

On Today, February 4 at 8 pm, The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO)'s Today Evening POPS! concert celebrates famous songs and music of the stage and screen with guest vocalist Sierra Boggess and the return of Lucas Richman as host and conductor.

On Today, February 4 at 8 pm, The Princeton Symphony Orchestra (PSO)'s Today Evening POPS! concert celebrates famous songs and music of the stage and screen with guest vocalist Sierra Boggess and the return of Lucas Richman as host and conductor. The concert highlights iconic melodies from productions which have found success on both stage and screen. Ms. Boggess performs songs from Breakfast at Tiffany's, The Little Mermaid, Phantom of the Opera, Les Miserables, Love Never Dies, and In the Good Old Summertime. The evening also includes a tribute to George Gershwin, dance music by Leonard Bernstein from On the Town, and selections from Oliver! and The Producers. The concert takes place at Richardson Auditorium in Alexander Hall on the campus of Princeton University.

The Boston Pops Esplande Orchestra comes to Jacksonville's Times-Union Center today, February 4, 2017 at 8 p.m. for one performance only.

The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia (COP) announces a special music panel event "Composing Music in the 21st Century: Music Panel Discussion: How modern composers navigate the ever-changing economy of music."

With the 2016/17 season marking its third installment, Sir Andras Schiff Selects: Young Pianists reflects both 92Y's and Sir Andras's dedication to championing the next generation of international performers by inviting promising young pianists, who have already garnered critical acclaim overseas, to make their 92Y debuts in programs of their choosing.

Dubai Opera presents Raiders of the Lost Ark and Jurassic Park in Concert, April 19-20, 2017.

The Gold Medalist at the inaugural Parkening International Guitar Competition, Spanish classical guitarist Pablo Sainz Villegas returns to Pepperdine University's Smothers Theatre at 8 p.m. today, February 2.

Beginning February 18, the Orchestre National de Lyon, “probably the most refined ensemble of the world” (The Guardian),  tours the United States for the first time since 2003, playing concerts with music director Leonard Slatkin on a six-city tour.  The Orchestra performs in renowned venues such as Carnegie Hall, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, and at the University of Georgia, Wake Forest University, and others. Special guest artists at Carnegie Hall include two of classical music's most treasured American voices, soprano Renée Fleming and baritone Thomas Hampson.  The New York program will feature debut performances of Guillaume Connesson's Celephaïs and a new Ravel arrangement of Rimsky-Korsakov's Antar with text by Amin Maalouf.

"Moana" star Auli'i Cravalho will make her Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra  (HSO) debut in "A Night on the Red Carpet" on Friday, February 17 at 7:30 pm. Featuring a parade of hits under the direction of Maestro Richard Kaufman, "A Night on the Red Carpet" brings to life unforgettable film scores. The voice of Moana in the Disney blockbuster, Cravalho will perform "How Far I'll Go," written by Lin-Manuel Miranda and recently nominated for an Academy Award for Best Song. The HSO is thrilled to welcome Cravalho in this concert event that also showcases music from the award-winning soundtracks to "Gone with the Wind," "The Witches of Eastwick," "Forrest Gump," and many more. A perfect Valentine's Day gift, tickets for "A Night on the Red Carpet" start at $27 and are on sale now. For more information, call the Hawai'i Symphony Orchestra Box Office (808) 94-MUSIC - (808) 946-8742 from Monday to Friday from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. 

With two visiting orchestras, classical landmarks by Haydn, Beethoven, and Schumann, high-status guest artists, two World Premieres, and the continuation of the films with live orchestra series, the Toronto Symphony Orchestra (TSO) offers heart-warming music for the cold month of February. As part of the TSO's Canada Mosaic project, audiences will be treated on several occasions to new, brief orchestral works called Sesquies, to celebrate Canada's 150th anniversary.

The New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Xian Zhang announce the Orchestra's classical, pops and family programs for the 2017-18 season, Zhang's second as the Orchestra's critically acclaimed artistic leader. The NJSO brings a diverse range of compelling programs to six venues across the Garden State, with highlights including classical masterworks, a Winter Festival celebrating foreign artists and composers who found creative inspiration on America's welcoming shores, film-with-orchestra presentations of E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and music- and comedy-filled performances with Tony Award-winning star Jason Alexander.

Continuing the spellbinding debut of the Harry Potter Film Concert Series in DeVos Performance Hall, audiences will experience the next two chapters with the Grand Rapids Symphony performing music to the films from one of the most beloved franchises in history.

The Las Vegas Philharmonic presents Cabrera Conducts The Music of John Williams on Saturday, March 4th at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 5th at 2:00 p.m. in Reynolds Hall at The Smith Center featuring our choir-in-residence, The Las Vegas Master Singers.  Patrons are encouraged to come early and dress in their favorite John Williams soundtrack movie character for special galactic surprises in Reynolds Hall lobby.  Music Director Donato Cabrera will host a pre-concert conversation at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday evening and at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon for patrons to learn more about John Williams and the music behind these iconic films. 

Quintessence Theatre Group continues producing progressive classic theatre with its spring 2017 repertory productions of William Shakespeare's Love's Labor's Lost and John Ford's The Broken Heart.